Trussed brake-beam



(No Model.) a

H. B. ROBISOHUNG.

TRUSSED BRAKE BEAM. 1 No. 430,756. Patented June 24, 1890.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY B. ROBISCHUNG, OF KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO THE NATIONALHOLLOW BRAKE BEAM COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

TRUSSED BRAKE-BEAM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 430,756, dated June 24,1890.

Application filed January 20, 1890- Serial No. 337,524. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY B. ROBISOHUNG, a citizen of the United States,residing at Kalamazoo, in the county of Kalamazoo and State of Michigan,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in.Struts or Postsforlrussed Brake-Beams andBushings Therefor; and I hereby declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is aperspective view of a portion of a trussed brake-beam, the strut or posthaving my devices applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the strut orpost and portions of the truss-rod and beam. Fig. 3 is a sectional viewof the strut and bushings. Fig. 4 is an end view of the bushingdetached; and Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the bushing, Figs. 4 aud oshowing the bushing before it has been applied to the strut or post.

' Like symbols refer to like parts wherever they occur.

My invention relates more especially to the construction of struts orposts for trussed beams or like trussed structures used for applyingpower, and where wear and slack are objectionable features and have tobe corrected; but it also embraces certain features of general valuewhere detachable bushings are necessary on moving structures, and wheresuch bushings have to be frequently removed, renewed, and securedagainst accidental dis placement or loss. In the case of a trussedbrake-beam (which has been chosen for purposes of illustration) thestrut or post of the trussed structure is slotted or otherwise providedwith means for receiving a brake-lever, and has pin-holes or bearingsfor the pivot of the said lever. As the movement and strain in suchstructures are continually in one and the same direction, the bearing orpin-hole in the strut or post becomes worn on one side or elongated, sothat the lever and its pivot will in course of time have considera bleplay, slack or lost motion, which must .be taken up before power can beapplied through the beam or equivalent trussed structure. In the case ofbrake-beams this slack or lost motion is multiplied by the number ofbeams, and thus increases the distance through which the power mechanismhas to move in applying the brakes. In the case of brakes applied bymeans of a cylinder and piston the movement of the piston is'necessarilylimited, and therefore such accumulation of lost motion may resultinpractically rendering the brakesinoperative. In the case of trussedstructures the present method of repair necessitates the dismembermentof the structures and removal of the entire post. Another difficulty nowexperienced in the manufacture of trussed brake-beams is the necessityof keeping on hand several sets of patterns for struts or posts to meetthe demand for the ditferentsized pivot-pins. To meet and obviate theseseveral objectionable features of the present construction is the objectof my present invention; and to this end it consists, first, incombining with the strut or post of a trussed beam or like structure,bushings for the bearings of the lever, pin, or pivot, whereby saidbearings may be renewed to take up slack, or changed to suit pivot-pinsof difierent size without the necessity of dismembering the structure,and, second, in providing detachable bushings with a projection or lipwhich may be turned down to lock the bushing in its seat or socket,whereby accidental displacement or loss of the bushingis prevented.

I will now proceed to describe my invention more fully, so that othersskilled in the art to which it appertains may apply the same.

In the drawings, A indicates a brake-beam Which occupies the position ofthe tie-rod in a trussed structure; B, a brake-head; C, the strut orpost; D, a truss-rod, and E a brakelover or equivalent lever forapplying power to the trussed structure.

The strut or post C is shown as provided at one end with a suitablecollar a, through which passes the beam proper A, (or tie-rod,) and atthe other with a seat (1 for the truss D. In such structures the strutis commonly provided with a longitudinal slot 0 or equivalent means forthe passage of the lever E, the plane of said slot being oblique orangling to the plane of the axis of the beam, so that the brake-leveroccupies an inclined position. In said strut or post 0 are pivot-holesor bearings e e for the pivot-pin of the lever E. I form saidpivot-holes e e of greater diameter than is necessary to accommodate thelargest pivot-pin employed, and provide therefor suitable bushings orbearings G, the inner diameter of which corresponds with the pin to beused. I also provide on the strut or post 0, adjacent to the pivot-holese 6, undercut shoulders or projections ff, or equivalent means forsecuring said bushings or bearings to the post 0. These bushings orbearings may be of cylindrical, thimble, or sleeve form, flanged as atg, and provided with a projection or lip h, which can be turned orforced under the shoulder to secure the bushing in the pivot-hole.

For purposes of illustration, I have shown the shoulders f f asstraight-edged, and the lips h h as-folded on a straight line, which isone Way of preventing the rotation of the bushings in the pivot-holes;but it is evident that other equivalent constructions for a like purposewill readily suggest themselves to the skilled mechanic.

The trussed beam, of. whatever character or construction it may be, willbe formed and set up in the usual manner, and a bushing G, of thedesired internal diameter, will then be inserted in the enlargedpivot-holes e e, and secured by folding or bending the lips g g underthe shoulders f f. WVhen the bushings G have become so Worn as to allowof slack or lost motion, the lips g 9 maybe turned back or broken off,and the old bushings removed and replaced by new ones withoutdismempossibility of dispensing with a number of patterns in casting thestruts or posts, and the ability to fit up or changea beam or supply itat once with any diameter pivot-pin called for by the specifications ofthe can builder.

Having thus described the nature and advantages of myinvention, What Iclaim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination, with the strut or post of a trussed brake-beam, ofbearings 0r bushings for the lever-pivot holes thereof, substantially asand for the purposes specified.

2. The combination, with the strut or post of a trussed brake-beam, ofremovable bearings or bushings for the lever-pivot holes thereof,substantially as and for the purposes specified.

3. The combination, with abearing or pivothole having a rectangularshoulder adjacent thereto, of a detachable bushing having a rectangularlip or projection adapted to look under the said shoulder, substantiallyas and for the purposes specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses,this 9th day of J anuary, 1890.

HENRY B. ROBISCHUN G.

Witnesses:

E. B. LEIGH, W. F. MACGINNLTIE.

